Distinguished Guests

Henry Cisneros delivered National Hispanic University's 28th Commencement address and was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, for his tireless work and commitment to improve the lives of so many through education while contributing to the rebuilding of their communities (May 2013).

President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science by Istanbul Bilgi University

Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez visited Universidad del Valle de Mexico and shared his vision for the future of Latin America in the context of the global economic crisis (October 2012). Dr. Arias, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and former President of Costa Rica, also received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Universidad Interamericana in 2006, addressed the 2010 Laureate Leadership Summit and earned an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Walden University.

The Honorable Tony Blair promotes importance of education in fostering a peaceful global society in keynote to students and faculty at Universidad del Valle de Mexico (September 2012). He also delivered the key-note speech at the 2009 BiTS Campus Symposium in Iserlohn, Germany (event was broadcast to more than 5k students faculty and staff throughout the Laureate network) (September 2009), visited Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (event was broadcast to students faculty and staff throughout the Laureate network) (October 2010), visited Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) in June 2011 and visited Istanbul Bilgi University in October 2011.

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. secretary of state, and Mr. Ehud Olmert, former prime minister of Israel, deliver the keynote address at the 2012 BiTS Campus Symposium

Nobel Laureates Eric Maskin (Harvard University, 2007 Nobel Prize in Economics), Roger Myerson (University of Chicago, 2007 Nobel Prize in Economics), Reinhard Selten (University of Bonn, 1994 Nobel Prize in Economics) and John Nash (Princeton University, 1994 Nobel Prize in Economics) addressed BILGI’s student body and conduct Q&A sessions with students on game theory and its strategic application in modern social, political and business life. (July 2012)

Antonio Patriota, the Minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil, visited Universidade Potiguar (UnP) to talk to students from the Business and Journalism programs about Brazil, international relations and Brazil’s growing global role. (April 2012)

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Asturias presided over the emotional meeting with the “Living Treasures of Television” organized by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and by Universidad Europea de Madrid that took place at UEM’s Villaviciosa de Odón campus. (March 2012)

Antonio R. Villaraigosa, the Mayor of Los Angeles was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by National Hispanic University (February 2012).

Dr. Eric Wieschaus, Nobel Prize recipient in 1995, was recognized with an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Universidad Andrés Bello (January 2012)

Sir John Gurdon, recipient of the 2009 Lasker Award, recognized with an Honorary Doctoral Degree from UNAB (January 2012)

Elena Poniatowska, internationally acclaimed author, recognized with Honorary Doctoral Degree by National Hispanic University (September 2011)

Dr. Ernesto Samper, the former President of Colombia; Dr. Carlos Mesa, the former President of Bolivia; and Dr. Osvaldo Hurtado, the former President of Ecuador, spoke at Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) (September 2011)

Daniel Goleman, internationally known author and psychologist, spoke at Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) about the benefits of Emotional Intelligence in Education. (June 2011)

Demetris Christofias, President of Cyprus, received an honorary doctoral degree from European University Cyprus (June 2011)

Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile, spoke at Universidad Viña del Mar in June 2011.

José Hernández, Astronaut, recognized with an Honorary Doctoral Degree from the National Hispanic University (May 2011)

Vicente del Bosque, Coach of the World Champion Spanish National Soccer Team, visited Universidad Europea de Madrid (April 2011)

Mario Vargas Llosa, novelist, politician and recipient of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature, was recognized with an honorary doctoral degree by Universidad Europea de Madrid (2006 April) and by Universidad Andrés Bello (2011 April).

José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), spoke at Universidad Viña del Mar (April 2011)

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a scholar and influential public intellectual, was the plenary speaker at Walden University's academic residency (March 2011).

Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, visited and spoke at Faculdade Guarapes (February 2011)

Bjarke Ingels, renowned architect, spoke at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design (February 2011).

Lech Walesa, former president of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, spoke at the 2008 Campus Symposium at BiTS (September 2008) and was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Universidad Europea de Madrid (January 2011)

José María Aznar, former Spanish prime minister, was recognized as an honorary Professor at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) (2006, October), was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Universidad Andrés Bello (2006) and visited the university again in December 2010.

Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia, was awarded an honorary doctoral degrees by Universidad Andrés Bello (2006) and delivered a speech at UNITEC Honduras (that was broadcast to students, faculty, and staff throughout the Laureate network)
(November 2010).

Dr. Mario Molina-Pasquel, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Universidad del Valle de México (November 2010)

Al Gore, former U.S. vice president, speaks at the 2010 Campus Symposium at BiTS. The event was broadcast to more than 5,000 students, faculty, and staff throughout the Laureate network (September 2010).

Dr. Cheryl L. Dorsey, an expert in public policy, next generation leadership and social innovation, spoke at Walden University (July 2010).

Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, received an honorary doctoral degree from Universidad Europea de Madrid
(June 2010).

Rafael Correa, president of the Republic of Ecuador, visited Universidad de Las Américas (May 2010).

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister of the Republic of Turkey, was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Universidad Europea de Madrid
(May 2010).

Lenin Moreno Garcés, vice president of the Republic of Ecuador, was recognized with an honorary doctoral degree by Universidad de Las Américas
(May 2010).

Nelson Mandela, was awarded honorary doctoral degrees by six Laureate institutions (Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM), Universidad Andrés Bello, Walden University, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Istanbul Bilgi University and Universidad de las Americas - Ecuador) at a ceremony held at UEM (May 2010).

Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education, spoke at Walden University' winter commencement
(January 2010).

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spanish prime minister, visited Universidad Europea de Madrid (October 2009).

King Juan Carlos of Spain received Laureate leaders at the Palacio de La Zarzuela in Madrid, Spain (June 2009).

U.S. presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain participated in the Walden University Presidential Youth Debate (October 2008).

Gerhard Schröder, former chancellor of the Germany, spoke at the 2008 Campus Symposium at BiTS (September 2008).

Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, addressed the Laureate Leadership Summit (October 2007).

Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations, spoke at the 2007 Campus Symposium at BiTS
(September 2007).

Antonin Scalia, associate justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, was named honorary professor at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (May 2007).